Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-03-04
THE REPORT SUBMITTED.
The Soldiers Home investigating
Committee Make a Report.
MisceiIaneou. News from Lansing.
LANsIvG. March /. 1887.

Miscellaneous News from Lansing.
LANsIgG. March |, 1887.
The report OF the committee appointed
10 investigate the Irregularities of the sol
diers' home has been finally submitted to
the house. IL is voluminous and calculat-
ed TO avert any consideration OF the irregu-
/ larltles. No mention is made of Col. Wells
/ or Maj. Long, and the only one censured
in IL Is the chief nurse. The report says:
we recommend that in the case of Edwin
Downs the board of management take inn
mediate steps to have justice done by any
action that they may feel right in taking.
By the evidence as IT appears upon the
/ report presented herewith, they leave the
testimony referring To any other irregu-
larities in the hands of the board of man
agement and invite their close and careful
attention thereto, IN the matter of censure
attaching 10 any person connected with
the home your committee do not deem it
their duty to 20 farther than TO submit the
/ evidence for the consideration of the legis-
lature and the board of managers of the
home Numerous minor recommends
tlons are made as to buildings hospitals
and routine management The entire
committee signs the report, and the house
adopted IT unanimously.
One of the most animated debates of
the session occurred in the senate the 9th
er afternoon over "A joint resolution that
/ our senators and representatives in con
gress be requested TO use their influence
TO the state of Michigan in trust for the
university of Michigan, all the govern
ment lands subject 10 entry within the
state, together with sucn other lands
within the state as may hereafter be sub
lect TO entry or shall revert TO the general
government by reason of forfeiture
To this Senator Seymour moved as an
amendment the proviso that all Of the
lands described situated in the upper pen
insula of Michigan shall bo given in trust
schools T
per peninsula as the legislature may di-
rect. In spite OF all the eloquence and ar
guments in favor of the amendment, IL
was voted down and the resolution as in
troduced was agreed to.
In order 10 facilitate matters the rail
road committees of the two houses have
arranged for joint meeting for the pur-
pose of considering all the railroad bills
introduced. In this way the committees
hope by consideration or substitution To
largely reduce the number of bills and
still cover all the objects aimed at.
The senate committee on the state house
of correction and branch Of the state pris
on in the upper peninsula, reports that
under the act of $50, a site had been pur
chased two aud one half miles east Of the
business center of Marquette, III health
full location. convenient for drainage and
easily supplied with pure water. The plans
for the building were made 10y VIM. scott
OF Detroit, and are modelled largely after
the lonia house of correction. W DIRK was
commenced in July last. The engine house
is nearly completed. The dining room and
hospital building Is nearly ready for Stat
ing and the foundation walls OF the admin
istration building and west cell wing are
nearly finished. The buildings will be
completed within one year from date.
The appropriation asked for the building
and furnishing Is SSO,5s2.
The bill TO prohibit the sale of intoxicat-
ing liquors within a mile of the soldiers
home at Grand Rapids brought out
pretty sharp discussion participated IN
namely 10y Senators Palmer, j. w. Bah
cock, Edwards and Hubbel, though Sena-
tors Deyo, Mayo. w. T. Babcock and
Sharp each had a few remarks TO
make. To the general purpose of
the bill there was little dissent,
though there was some disagree
ment as TO details. IL was amended SO as
10 insert knowingly and wilfully' in the
clauses prohibiting sale or gilt, and in
this shape passed the committee Of the
whole and subsequently passed on the
order of third reading by vote of p 10 U.
The senate has confirmed the nomina-
ton Of Col. Heath 20 be commissioner of
labor statistics.
The house has killed the hill providing
that no one can be appointed or elected
Judge of probate unless he be a practicing
attorney.
Among the petitions sent 70 the house Is
a very carefully drawn memorial from +.
\. Baker OF Detroit AT the time Mr..
Baker sent 10 the legislature his paper on
the Baker conspiracy law, he promised at
some future time 10 consider some of the
relations between employer and employe.
The memorial presented today consisted
chiefly of "A statement OF existing laws and
decisions upon the subject OF damages TO
employees through accidents or negligence.
Mr.. Baker holds that juries ought TO be
allowed TO award damages in excess OF
actual damages In cases OF INJURY through
the negligence OF corporations. lie dis
cYsses the doctrine that a servant cannot
recover for damages caused by the neglect
of fellow servant. He refers to the en-
ployers liability act adopted in England
in 1880 and states that he has bill adapt
ing that act 10 thi, state The bill was
sent TO member from Oakland, with the
memorial, and has been introduced
One of the bills TO be considered by the
house is one amending the laws in refer
ence 10 compensation for causing death
by wrongful act, neglect or default" The
amendment Incorporates into the section
the words, "includng such general dam
ages for injuries to the feelings and alice
tions and for loss of society as the jury
under all facts and circumstances of the
in cases of wilful act and gross negligence
exemplary damages may be awarded as
in both cases.
A bill introduced by Representative
Harrington il intended 10 extend and
regulate the liability OF employers TO make
composition for personal injuries suffered
by workmed in their employ,
Representative Dawson is of the opinion
that whatever law for the regulation or
prohibition of the liquor traffic may be
passed, il should be enforced, and he has
introduced bill providing for the APP
pointment by the governor of state
marshall whose duty it shall be TO enforce
the law The marshall is given power TO
appoint "A deputy in every county, and
whenever a complaint is made of n viola
ton of the law the marshall or his depu-
ties shall proceed against such person and
shall shall have the same powers in execut-
ing the laws the sheriffs may have.
number Of important state boards are
to be thoroughly Investigated. Senator
Babcock introduced bill "A few days since
abolishing the state board OF health. He
has procured figures and statistics show